Most readers won’t want to read your writing unless they can see that you’re about to explain something that’s worth making an argument about. Let’s take a look at an example of this principle in writing.
Read the following excerpt from a 2008 article on a recent trend in university housing that has created some controversy: the move toward coed dorm rooms.
In the 1950s, college dorms were off-limits to members of the opposite sex. Then came the 1970s, when male and female students started crossing paths in coed dormitories. Now, to the astonishment of some Baby Boomer parents, a growing number of colleges are going even further: coed rooms. At least two dozen schools, including Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin College, Clark University and the California Institute of Technology, allow some or all students to share a room with anyone they choose—including someone of the opposite sex. This spring, as students sign up for next year's room, more schools are following suit, including Stanford University.
Michelle R. Smith, "Colleges Are Allowing Coed Dorm Rooms," USA Today, May 2, 2008.
Imagine that a professor in a journalism class has asked her students to write editorial responses to this article. She has listed a few of the students’ claims here. Which of these claims is most likely to make a successful argument? Why?
A) An article in USA Today shows that the issue of allowing coed dorm rooms remains controversial.
B) It is wrong to separate men and women in any domain of life.
C) Gender-neutral dorm rooms prepare students for post-college life better than single-sex dorms.
D) Gender differences occupy an important role in society.
E) Male and female students go on to live together when they move off campus.
Done
A) An article in USA Today shows that the issue of allowing coed dorm rooms remains controversial.
B) It is wrong to separate men and women in any domain of life.
C) Gender-neutral dorm rooms prepare students for post-college life better than single-sex dorms.
D) Gender differences occupy an important role in society.
E) Male and female students go on to live together when they move off campus.
Many readers agree that choice (C) would make the most successful argument because it offers the strongest claim. It is not just a statement of fact of which everyone is already aware; a reasonable person might disagree that coed dorms prepare students better for post-college life. While not an obvious fact, the claim is also more than mere opinion, because its writer offers a position that can be defended reasonably with evidence.
Most readers find that the other choices are weaker claims that would not make successful arguments. Choices (A) and (E) state facts that most people would accept right away. These claims need no further explanation. Choices (B) and (D) state mere opinions that could not support a healthy argument. Although choice (B) is interesting because it is controversial, it is too subjective and divisive: you could not find good, material evidence to support it. Choice (D) offers an opinion, but it’s not an opinion that many people would disagree with. Most reasonable people think gender differences are important to United States society.
